Relentless #45 - Michael LaFramboise, Co-Founder & CEO of Aurelius
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Sep 8, 2025 
Michael LaFramboise, Founder & CEO of Aurelius, pioneers laser systems for drone defense. He discusses the rise of drone warfare, particularly in the Ukraine conflict, and critiques current strategies. LaFramboise dives into the evolution of unmanned aerial systems and the challenges of integrating autonomy in military operations. He also shares insights on competing in the defense technology landscape, emphasizing the urgency of strategic hiring and production scaling. The conversation reveals the transformative potential of lasers in protecting critical infrastructure and reshaping military strategies.
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Lasers Beat Missiles On Marginal Cost
- Laser directed-energy provides a near-zero marginal cost to shoot down mass-produced cheap drones because the only recurring cost is electricity.
- Michael LaFramboise argues this flips the economics against mass drone swarms that outscale missile expenditures.
Drone Proliferation Changed Modern Warfare
- Drone production scaled massively in 2023–2024, changing battlefield dynamics and increasing casualties from FPV strikes.
- LaFramboise says existing defense posture was built for near-peer conventional threats, not mass autonomous UAS.
Use Layered Defense, Favor Low Marginal Cost
- Deploy layered counter-UAS tools and pick modalities to match engagement scale and environment.
- Prioritize low marginal-cost defeat systems like directed energy when facing high-volume drone threats.